Chapter 82 - New Equipment Part 1
Several days had passed since the major event of Julius's search, and there were no significant incidents or accidents, allowing for peaceful days to go by.
With Princess Hime-sama's recovery and return to good health, her friends at the academy were relieved to see the change in her condition.
Although the princess insisted she hadn't changed much, even I could tell how much better she had become...
While thinking about such things, I continued with my work today.
"Hey, Jin. Have you ever considered quitting being an adventurer and becoming a soldier?"
"Huh? Why would I do that?"
After finishing work and engaging in our usual training, Andoru, who had been accompanying me in training, asked me such a question.
A soldier? Why would I become a soldier?
"Well, with skills like yours, I think you could pass the country's soldier exam. It may not be as free as being an adventurer, but the income is decent."
"Well, it's true that I could pass the soldier exam and become a soldier, but it's not something I desire. After all, I've been liberated from a life of confinement since I was born, so I intend to remain a free adventurer."
Andoru, curious about my background as a former noble, listened to my words. Hearing my response, he seemed to feel a bit down as he said, "I see..."
"It's not that I dislike the idea of becoming a soldier or anything like that, so if the royal castle side doesn't reject us after this request is over, please continue to train me. I do have something like this, just in case."
"Ah! I see... So the king and others have given that to you."
Andoru looked momentarily surprised when he saw the highest-grade permit issued by the kingdom, a document held by only a few nobles and very few non-nobles. Then, he smiled.
"Yes, so Andoru-san, there's no need to worry. Even if I'm not here, you won't be short of training partners."
"I see, I see. That's good to know. I made an unexpected offer, but I was worried about that."
I looked at the dozens of fallen soldiers while saying that to Andoru. Like Andoru, the soldiers on the ground also expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you. Really, thank you."
Afterward, I continued training with Andoru until the sun went down.
"Jin, you must be tired from training."
"Yeah, thanks, Chloe."
After finishing our training and taking a shower, I went to the dining hall, where Chloe had arrived earlier. We decided to have dinner together.
"How's Chloe's training going?"
"It's really fun. The members of the Magic Knights Order are kind, and they patiently teach me even the magic I'm not good at."
The other day, when Chloe was training in magic, she was approached by Leon, the captain of the Magic Knights Order, and since then, Chloe had been training with the Magic Knights Order.
The Magic Knights Order was a group of skilled individuals in the kingdom, and unlike the soldiers, who often came from noble backgrounds, many members of the Magic Knights Order were commoners. This was because the Magic Knights Order valued magical aptitude over bloodlines. As a result, very few magic users were accepted into the order, and only a handful of academy graduates joined the Magic Knights Order.
"Why didn't you come with me, Jin?"
"I want to focus on swordsmanship for now. Besides, Leon-sama said it's okay to come after I'm satisfied with my swordsmanship."
I had actually been invited to train with the Magic Knights Order. However, I declined because I didn't want to half-heartedly quit swordsmanship. Surprisingly, Leon didn't disregard my training request and told me I could come anytime once I was content with my sword skills.
"How's your swordsmanship coming along, Jin?"
"It's progressing steadily... I'm getting better at handling it in combat, but I still feel like I can improve."
While staring at my hand, I answered Chloe's question.
"I've been watching you practice your sword during breaks in training, Jin. Your movements have improved a lot since you started training, but you're still not satisfied?"
"Yeah, I haven't reached that 'this is it!' feeling yet. There are still many areas where I think I could have done better."
"You're surprisingly meticulous, Jin."
Chloe laughed lightly and I told her, "I want to find my own sword while I have the chance."